Types of Telehandlers and Their Benefits

December 13, 2022 - Last modified: December 9, 2022 @ 2:41 pm

Agricultural and construction projects all over the world always have a need for efficient and powerful tools and machines. There are countless pieces of equipment that help drive these industries, and the ability for project managers to find the right tool for the job is extremely important for meeting deadlines and budgets.

One of the most versatile of these machines on the market is the telehandler. There are different types of telehandlers available, and these many options can make them a game-changer in any industry if you understand how to use them.

The Capacities of Different Types of Telehandlers

Telehandlers, also referred to as telescopic forklifts, reach forklifts, teleporters, or telescopic handlers, are designed with both hydraulic lift and great reach capacity. They essentially offer you the powerful load-lifting capacity of a forklift combined with the lifting range of a crane.

This combination makes for an extremely powerful and versatile tool. A telehandler can help you reach the most difficult of places in your work site both safely and efficiently. Telehandlers are typically able to lift anywhere from 4,000 to 15,000 pounds depending upon the machine and its attachments.

However, the maximum lifting capacity of any given telehandler does not apply when its boom is at full reach. The more raised or extended the boom is, the less stable the vehicle will become, and consequently the lower its lifting capacity. For example, a telehandler that can lift upwards of 5,000 pounds with a fully retracted boom might not be able to lift more than a few hundred pounds when the boom is at its fullest height.

This is where load charts come into play for operators. These charts allow you to evaluate what the equipment can and cannot do in any given situation, depending upon all of the above factors (angles, height, extension, weight). There are also computers built into telehandlers that help the operators navigate their jobs safely without putting too much strain on the machine.

The lift height of some telehandlers extends over 50 feet, allowing the machine to reach anything from top shelves in warehouses to roofs at construction sites. This great reach, combined with the high load-capacity and relatively excellent maneuverability of telehandlers, allows operators to handle a wide variety of tasks.

Major Types of Telehandlers 

There are essentially three main versions of telehandlers available: standard fixed boom telehandler, rotating telescopic handler and heavy lift telehandler. Each one has specific capabilities that make it ideal for certain jobs. Understanding these three options and which is right for your project is key to utilizing them to their fullest potential and saving yourself time and energy.

Standard Fixed Boom Telehandlers 

The standard fixed boom telehandler is the most basic type and is used in both agricultural and construction applications. It is called "fixed boom" because its boom does not have the rotational capacity of other types of telehandlers. The cab is also fixed forward. These machines are generally capable of lifting larger loads than counterparts such as rotating telehandlers.

Due to the relative simplicity of its design, the standard fixed boom telehandler has all of its counterweight focused in one area of its frame, resulting in greater stability. It is not to be confused with a forklift, which does not have the same reach and typically doesn't have the load-bearing capacity, either.

Fixed boom telehandlers are fit for heavier loads and tougher environments. They are ideal for moving materials long distances and are generally built to navigate wider and more open spaces. Their booms are usually longer, and their stability is unmatched when it comes to supporting large loads.

A variation of the fixed boom telehandler is the articulated telehandler, which has its boom positioned centrally to increase precision and efficiency. These telehandlers have an articulated chassis, which helps to increase maneuverability.

There are also telehandlers that have their lower and upper frames joined with a rotary joint, with the end result being something of a hybrid crane and telehandler. These machines are called Roto machines or mobile cranes.

Rotating Telehandlers

Rotating telehandlers, also called rotating telescopic handlers or rotational telehandlers, specialize in movement more than lifting ability. As their name suggests, these telescopic forklifts are able to rotate their booms 360 degrees, giving maximum flexibility to move things from the far left to the far right or vice versa. Whether you're working in an industrial yard or a traditional construction site, out of all the types of telehandlers available, a rotating telehandler may be what you need to tackle some of the toughest of situations.

Though a rotating telescopic handler isn't specifically designed for lifting capacity, these powerful machines can still lift a great deal of weight and are excellent for elevating large objects. Their load capacity will typically exceed that of a traditional forklift. However, it's always important to know what any given telehandler is rated for and how much it can handle to decide whether it's the right tool for your project.

The rotating telescopic telehandler is a more recent invention, and it has helped take construction to the next level with unmatched efficiency and reach. One of its most important abilities is navigating tight or inefficient spaces. It is able to move forward through narrow passages even while carrying and moving heavy objects above it on a horizontal plane.

This flexibility makes rotating telehandlers ideal for moving between two close-proximity structures or buildings, for example, a situation that doesn't offer many other options. Though their rotating design gives up some of the load-bearing capacity of a fixed boom telehandler, it makes them key for countless applications that no other machine could manage as well.

Heavy Lift Telehandlers 

Not surprisingly, the heavy lift telehandler is specially designed for larger weight loads. These types of telehandlers can typically lift (depending upon the lift capacity and range) anywhere from 60,000 to 90,000 pounds. Naturally, they are designed to be highly stable to handle such weight. These telehandlers are used in construction as well as mining applications and are fit for the toughest of projects.

The Uses of Telehandlers 

Telehandlers are generally used to lift and place items, transport workers to difficult-to-access areas of a site, or move heavy objects from one place to another. Their ability to extend the boom makes them ideal for reaching over objects and accessing places that can't be safely or efficiently accessed with other equipment such as traditional forklifts, scaffolding, or even ladders.

With the various kinds of attachments offered for telescopic forklifts, they can tackle other jobs, too. They are used for cleaning up worksites, removing snow from a site, transporting large amounts of dirt and other materials, and even lifting workers to give them access to hard-to-reach areas of a construction site.

A great example of a telehandler's usefulness is when there is a need to transport palletized materials to a higher plane. Using a pallet fork attachment, these machines can quickly, efficiently, and safely move large amounts of wood or other building materials from the ground to a roof.

Some telehandlers, if they're compact enough, can be used indoors to move cargo and materials from place to place. With a platform attachment, a telehandler's boom can be turned into a work platform for workers to access high spaces and difficult areas of a construction site.

Telehandler Attachments 

Another aspect of the telehandler's great efficiency is the wide array of attachments available. There are many attachments to utilize with different types of telehandlers. Some of the most common of these include:

  • Snow pushers 
  • Bale forks 
  • General-purpose buckets 
  • Wide floating pallet forks 
  • Grapples of various kinds 
  • Snow blowers 
  • Rock buckets 
  • Light material buckets 

These attachments take an already-versatile machine and expand its capabilities even more, whether you're working with a fixed boom, heavy lift, or rotating telescopic handler.

Other attachments that are compatible with telehandlers are:

  • Truss booms 
  • Side-tilt carriages 
  • Cubing forks 
  • Truss jibs 
  • Trash hoppers 
  • Work platforms 

Work platforms in particular can be a great tool for getting detailed work done in places that are out of reach for a regular forklift or other such equipment. The most common type of attachment used in agriculture is the bucket or bucket grab. These special tools can move loads to and from locations that are inaccessible to other machines such as backhoe loaders. In construction, a wider variety of these attachments is utilized.

Any of these attachments can come in various sizes and weights for different purposes, depending upon the job you need to accomplish. With these options, it's easy to see how versatile and helpful different types of telehandlers can be. Telescopic forklifts also sometimes have front stabilizers installed to help increase their load-bearing capacity.

Safe Operation of Telehandlers 

To ensure optimal safety and proper use of telehandlers, it is required that operators earn certification. This can typically be done with five hours of coursework, and there are many convenient options for completing these courses.

These courses incorporate guidelines from OSHA and ANSI to cover what is necessary to prepare operators for safety and efficient, effective completion of tasks. Safety with different types of telehandlers is key because they are such powerful machines. Even a small misstep in handling telescopic forklifts can result in serious injury or even death.

For the sake of their own safety and the safety of their co-workers and the people around them, telehandler operators learn in their coursework:

  • How to inspect construction sites 
  • How to test and inspect telehandlers 
  • How to use load charts and other relevant tools 
  • How to refuel a telehandler 
  • How to properly start up and shut down different types of telehandlers 
  • How to operate when near power lines or other key structures 
  • How to manage the center of gravity in operation 

To receive full certification, as part of their training, every telehandler operator must also complete a practical assessment under supervision, which involves the actual operation of the equipment.

Choosing the Right Telehandler for Your Operation

Because of the many different types of telehandlers available, choosing the right one for your business is key. To best determine what you need, it can be helpful to speak to a professional in the industry who knows the ins and outs of how this equipment is typically used.

Factors that need to be considered include how open the space where you will be operating the machine is, how heavy the loads are, and what the available telehandlers are in your area. Of course, your budget and timeline are also important factors that bear on what the best decision is for you.

Budget and availability aside, if you are working with a narrow space, rotating telehandlers may be your best bet. These telehandlers are efficient in smaller spaces and able to utilize a full range of motion both horizontally and vertically for their booms and cabs alike. On the other hand, if you don't need 360-degree motion and are working on an indoor project or other smaller space, a compact fixed boom might be best for your project.

If you're needing to lift upwards of 30,000 pounds at one time and have the space for a larger machine, it may be necessary for you to use fixed boom or heavy lift telescopic forklifts. As long as you don't need rotation on your machine, these are your best option for optimal strength and stability.

Forklift Inventory Can Help You Navigate Different Types of Telehandlers 

Because of the variety of telehandlers available, it's important you understand what your project calls for and which equipment is right for the job. You don't want to spend money on the wrong machine or deal with the logistical hassle of needing to trade out equipment later on.

If you're managing a work site or agricultural project and are in need of any of the different types of telehandlers, you can use our website to get a free quote, compare local deals, and ultimately get the best price possible on a rotating telescopic handler, standard fixed boom telehandler or heavy lift telehandler. If you have any questions along the way, contact us here at Forklift Inventory. Our knowledgeable team can help you find just the right equipment for the job at a great price.

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